"Reunion" Chapter 2

[SueWalsh]

Barney was slogging through paperwork, trying to keep his mind off what was happening at the 1-2. Scanlon. In MY office, running MY precinct! He looked up at the sound of the door opening.

"Fish! What brings you here?" he asked, a smile spreading across his face.

"I'm meeting someone for lunch a little later. Thought I'd stop by and see how the other half lives."

"Have a seat. Can I get you a cup of coffee?"

"Sure."

Barney quickly poured it for him and then settled back behind his desk, watching as Fish took a sip, then made a face.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing, this coffee tastes great."

"Then why the face?"

Fish thought a moment. "Guess I was expecting the worst."

"Oh come on now. I'm a deputy inspector. Got my own Mr. Coffee to show for it."

Fish laughed. "Have you thought anymore about what we talked about the other day?"

"Oh yes."

"And?"

"Fish, I don't want to be Luger when I grow up." Barney sighed.

"Well then, go talk to whoever you've got to and get yourself back where you belong."

"I wish it were as easy. You'll never guess who the new Captain is."

"Levitt. He always was a go getter."

Barney laughed. "I wish! You know, I called over there this morning. Harris answered.

It seems I'm not the only one who was homesick."

Fish's eyes widened. "You mean,Wojo,Dietrich, they're all back?"

"It would appear so. I didn't get to talk for long. The new Captain cut in.

Remember how we used to wish the rug would get pulled from under Scanlon? Guess what, it did. He's Captain Scanlon now."

"You're kidding!"

Barney sighed and shook his head. "I wish I was. Harris said my name's still on the door. Bet he loves that."

"You've got to ask for that demotion now, Barney. Have mercy on your friends."

"I've got to talk to Liz first. And besides, even if I got it, there's no guarantee I'd get reassigned to the 12th."

"C'mon Barney. We both know he'll never last. If the public doesn't complain about him the boys'll kill him. Either way, your old job will be waiting."

Barney studied his old friend. "Why are you so interested, anyway?"

Fish put his coffee cup down. "My niece is working over there now. I think she's got Levitt's old job."

"Your niece? Not little Emily-"

"Little Emily is 26 now and one of New York's Finest. 2 years out of the Academy. She was working out of the 122 until she heard about the 12th reopening. She put in a request to transfer."

"26?" Barney looked at him in disbelief, then smiled. "Following in your footsteps, huh? Well you must be very proud."

"I am Barney, but I'd rather she'd have stayed at the 122. It's safer there."

"Oh sure. Crime never happens on Staten Island." Barney said, straight faced.

Fish looked at him. "You know what I mean, Barney. And now with Scanlon there-"

"I wouldn't worry Fish. I'm sure she's a very capable and intelligent officer."

"Maybe I should go up to the squad room and talk to the guys, you know, ask them to look out for her-"

"She'd kill you." Barney said matter of factly.

"You're probably right." Fish sighed in resignation.

"Besides," Barney added. "Once they find out who she is they'll probably do it on their own." he smiled.

"She'll still kill me. I promised her I'd let her do things her way. Women are so stubborn Barney."

"Fish, you're just now figuring that out?" Barney teased. "Relax, okay? I'm sure Emily'll be just fine. She is one of New York's Finest after all," he smiled at his old friend.

"She's a hell of a cop Barney, don't get me wrong. I just worry is all. I couldn't believe it when she told me she was transferring to the 1-2."

"Sounds like she thinks very highly of you Fish, and I don't blame her. "

"Well thank you Barney."

"Wouldn't it be something if she makes detective someday?" Barney mused. "There aren't enough good woman officers out there. Last one I can think of is Wentworth, remember?"

"Oh yeah. What's she doing now?"

"Last I heard she was still working Vice. Up in the Bronx I think." Barney replied, reaching for his coffee cup.

"Good for her. Wojo really liked her, didn't he?"

Barney chuckled. "She broke his heart."

The men fell silent, lost in memories of days past.

"Barney, come with me." Fish said suddenly.

"What?" Where?"

"I'm taking Emily to lunch. Come with me. I'm meeting her at the 12th."

"Oh Fish, I don't want to intrude-"

"It's no intrusion Barney. I'm sure she'd love to see you. And don't you want to see everyone?"

"It has been awhile." Barney smiled, then thought a minute. "No Fish. I'm going home for lunch. I want to talk to Liz. I want the next time I walk into the 1-2 to be when I'm Captain again!"

"That's the spirit Barney!"
******************************************************

"Okay Mr. Porter. Have a seat over here." Harris said, leading a middle aged
man into the squad room. He was thin and dishelved.

"That your disturbance?" Wojo asked.

"Lawrence Porter. He bought a bunch of lottery scratch off tickets. When none of them were winners he demanded his money back. The clerk refused and he tried to climb over the counter. That's when they called us. When we got there he was screaming about false advertising." Levitt explained as Scanlon joined them.

"Got a gambling problem, do you?" Scanlon asked Porter.

"What I got a problem with is those lyin finks that run the lottery. The ticket says right on it, win up to 100,000 dollars! Well I didn't win nothin! That's false advertising!"

"Yeah yeah. Sit down." Harris said, motioning toward his desk.

"Gentlemen, I'm going to lunch. I trust that you can keep things running smoothly here?" Scanlon reached for his hat.

"Lunch?" Levitt exclaimed. "It's 10:30!"

"Levitt, right? Let me explain something to you. I'm the Captain. Any questions?"

"No sir."

"Good! Later Gentlemen."

They watched as Scanlon breezed out.

"Lunch at 10:30?" Wojo said. "Must be nice."

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Woj. At least we're free of him for awhile." Harris put a form in his typewriter and sat down. "Okay Mr. Porter, let's get started."

"Am I going to get my money back?"
'
"Mr. Porter, you do understand that buying a lottery ticket doesn't guarantee you'll win? In fact the chances of winning are astronomical at best." Dietrich explained.

"That's not what the ticket says!"

Harris sighed. "Give it up. I already tried."

"I won the lottery once." Levitt offered. "Well it was only a free ticket..but that's still considered winning, right?"

"Sure Levitt." Wojo shook his head and looked at his typewriter. "There's gotta be some ribbons around here somewhere!" he reached for the phone and dialed downstairs.

"Officer O'Malley." Emily's voice answered pleasantly.

Wojo suddenly felt nervous. "Uh yeah, hi. This is Sergeant Wojeciehowicz. From upstairs?"

"Hi Sergeant. How can I help you?"

"Well uh, I was wondering...what I mean is, you wouldn't know if there are any typewriter ribbons around here, would you? Mine's shot."

"I'll see what I can do. You might have to fill out a requistion."

"Great. May as well forget it then and go buy one myself."

"Wait now. I'm sure I can find one around here somewhere. I'll check the supply room."

"Better be careful."

To his surprise, Emily giggled."Oh I've heard all about the place. Don't worry. I'll make sure I'm properly armed."

Wojo grinned. "Okay, well uh..let me know how you make out."

"Don't worry. If your phone rings, it'll be me calling for back up."

"I'll keep that in mind." he giggled inspite of himself. "bye."

"Bye Sergeant."

When he hung up he noticed Harris and Dietrich staring at him. "Yeah, what?"

"Did you just giggle?" Harris asked matter of factly.

"I heard it too, Woj. A distinct giggle came from your direction." he grinned.

"I was laughin, okay?" Wojo looked embarassed.

"That was a giggle." Harris was intent on teasing him.

"No it wasn't. Men don't giggle, everyone knows that." he busied himself with the papers on his desk.

"Okay Wojo. Whatever you say," Harris went back to the report he was typing, then looked back up. "but it was a giggle!"

"It was a laugh!"

Porter looked at Harris. "Sounded like a giggle to me too."

"Quit it already, would ya?" Wojo's voice rose along with the color in his cheeks.

The room fell silent. Suddenly they all realized they were waiting for the same thing: Barney's usual calming interjection. Levitt looked at the "Capt. Miller" on the door and then quickly looked away.

"I guess it's true, huh? You can't go home again."

"Don't be so sure, Carl. Don't be so sure." Harris replied. "I got a hunch Barney's working on something."

[Already Gone]

I agree with Harris and the others, it was a giggle.

Great job Sue. I'm enjoying this, I hope you post more chapters.